Good thread. While I am not a "Smithy", I have some tools that have been helpful. My older brother was a tool importer from manufacturers in Switzerland, Germany, Japan, and other countries. He held some 100 patents on hand tools. Some were simplicity. One which is very handy for this type of thing is a tweezer that has diamond dust imbedded in the "jaws". For not slipping on any tiny part. They can be bought with a locking device which is simply slid up and down to lock and release, and can be had with a clip to go in the pocket of a work apron or shirt. Jay, reminded me of the handy dandy light than can now be bought at Home depot or Lowe's for about 12.00, that simply slips on ones head and allows illumination from the angle very near the eye. These are "bullets" ha. One other thing... when looking for some of the "finer quality" tools for sensitive work, you might do better looking at high end jewelry tools rather than from a gun supply house. An example might be Grobet files from Switzerland, small pliers from Germany, etc.
Last thing, many of you may have an old film camera lense that is no longer of use and has little resale value... Say a 100 mm lense. This makes an excellent magnifier than can be set on a desk and won't get lost. You simply make sure the aperture is open and look in the object lense. You don't have to get your eye real close, or hold it real close to whatever you are inspecting. Good luck !
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